According to SpaceX boss Elon Musk, almost a hundred Starlink Internet terminals are now in use in Iran, which has been affected by the authorities’ Internet blocking. “We are approaching 100 active Starlinks in Iran,” Musk wrote on Twitter.
In September, the billionaire announced in the face of anti-government protests in the country that he wanted to activate Starlinks there as part of a US-backed initiative to promote Internet freedom and the free flow of information.
Launched in 2020, the service operates a network of around 2,000 satellites designed to provide internet access in areas that are not connected to the global network by cable.
Starlink last attracted attention in the spring when company boss Musk sent Ukraine Starlink devices to provide Internet access to areas hit by Russian military attacks.
Iran has been rocked by violent protests for months. They were triggered by the death of the young Kurd Mahsa Amini on September 16. The 22-year-old died after being arrested by the vice squad because of an improperly worn headscarf.
According to Iranian sources, more than 200 people were killed in the protests. International human rights organizations assume more than 460 dead. According to the UN, around 14,000 people have been arrested so far, apparently also this Sunday. State media reports.
According to a statement, seven main actors in the recent protests have been arrested by the secret services of the Revolutionary Guards. Among them were “dual nationals who tried to leave the country”.
